SNC-Lavalin to acquire U.K. engineering firm Kentz Corp

Kentz Corp is the first big acquisition for new SNC-Lavalin CEO Robert Card, who was hired after the Montreal engineering firm disclosed in 2012 that $56 million in questionable payments had been made or approved by some senior executives. (Graham Hughes/Canadian Press)

The $2.1-billion acquisition for SNC-Lavalin comes after the Montreal-based engineering company has had to deal with allegations of corruption in recent years.

It's the first big acquisition for new SNC-Lavalin CEO Robert Card, who was hired after the Montreal engineering firm disclosed in 2012 that $56 million in questionable payments had been made or approved by some senior executives.

SNC-Lavalin is holding a conference call this morning to discuss the deal.

The acquisition will increase SNC-Lavalin's presence in the oil and gas sector.